Rotary engine

ABSTRACT

A rotary fluid driven engine includes a stationary housing having a cylinder block rotatably mounted therein and having a plurality of spaced bores. Each bore has a piston reciprocally mounted therein and connected by connecting rods to an eccentric rotor which is rotatably mounted within the housing for rotation about an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of rotation of the cylinder block. Fluid under pressure is applied is sequence into bores of the cylinder block in accordance with controlled ports to effect movement of the respective piston in the bores and rotation of the eccentric rotor. A plurality of spaced shafts are fixed relative to the cylinder block and engage respective cam surfaces in the eccentric rotor to rotate the cylinder block and a driven shaft connected to said block and to maintain relative rotation of the cylinder block and eccentric rotor and reciprocation of the pistons.

Oct. 31, 1972 United States Patent Eck,

Primary Examiner-William L. Freeh i541 ROTARY ENGINE Attorney-Fishbum,Gold and Litman [72] Inventor: Leonard F. Eek, 418 North l-lartup,

McPherson, Kans. 67460 Sept. 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 76,131

ABSTRACT fluid driven engine includes a stationary A rotary [22] Filed:

housing having a cylinder block rotatably mounted therein and having aplurality of spaced bores. Each W b m m o dr eS i n mm b ww P 265 8N8 mm5 3 9 m T 2 4 S u T ""9 my a '4 m" d T e A "9 t. "n" 0 P mmm s B n T m mm M R E m "a 1 "M N Q M U d s w UrmF 1]] .l 2 8 6 555 5 [[IIIL [Itspaced shafts are fixed relative to the cylinder block and engagerespective cam surfaces in the eccentric rotor to rotate the cylinderblock and a driven shaft connected to said block and to maintainrelative rotation of the cylinder block and eccentric rotor andreciprocation of the pistons.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 2222755 8000089899 44444444 l/l/l/l/11111111 99999 .99 i m m mm m m t m.. m u e e n nn S fl mnawr ems luhrno ODSTMECR 27336354 4 304556 99999999 11111111 l/l/l/l/ 6003 2 3 11 13422445 69925887 43242282 84329692 11 2223 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS v m n PATENTED B 12 3.701. 306

SHEET 1 BF 4 INVENTOR.

Leonard EEcK ll 2. r

ATTORNEYS PATENTED 0m 3 1 m2 SHEET 2 BF 4 INVENTOR. Leonard I? Eekmromvws ROTARY ENGINE The present invention relates to rotary-enginesand more particularly to a rotary engine adapted to operate in responseto fluid pressure preferably of an expansion type usable in a closedsystem having a suitable boiler to create pressure and a condenser inthe return.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a rotaryengine having the moving parts substantially symmetrical and vibrationfree and traveling in their own orbit during operation; to provide sucha rotary engine characterized by maximum efficiency and the absence ofthe necessity for counterweights; to provide such a rotary engine havinga proper relation between rotation of a cylinder block and an eccentricrotor and movement of pistons within said block and which will developpeak torque upon start of rotation of the rotor and block; to providesuch a rotary engine having novel intake and exhaust valve members andnovel bearing members in engagement therewith an arranged and shaped tosubstantially eliminate bleeding of fluid between the bearing membersand the respective valve members; to provide such a rotary engine whichis adjustable and reversible and which has an elongated rotatablesupport member coaxial with the axis of rotation of the cylinder blockand having an intake valve member and an exhaust valve member mountedthereon for rotary movement therewith with the exhaust valve memberbeing mounted on the support member by a lost motion connection wherebythe exhaust valve member is free to move to a position for proper flowof exhaust fluid therethrough; to provide such a rotary engine having arotatable cylinder block having a plurality of circumferentially spacedbores each having a piston reciprocable therein and an eccentric rotorrotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of rotationof the cylinder block with the pistons pivotally connected to theeccentric rotor and abutments on the block engageable with cam surfaceson the rotor all effecting a true motion of the pistons in a circularorbit while maintaining a continuous forward rotational speed andreciprocating lineally relative to the block during rotation of theblock and the eccentric rotor; to provide such a rotary engine enclosedwithin a housing and having a cylinder block with bores opening into thehousing whereby piston blow-by is not critical due to exhaust fluidunder pressue within the housing and acting on outer surfaces ofpistons; to provide such a rotary engine wherein fluid flowing throughsame effects lubrication of bearings engaging the moving parts; and toprovide such a rotary engine which is economical to manufacture,positive in operation, highly efficient in operation, durable inconstruction, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotary engine embodyingfeatures of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a reduced transverse sectional view through the rotary enginetaken on line 22, FIG. 1, and showing relative positions of a cylinderblock, eccentric rotor, and pistons within said block.

FIG. 3 is a reduced longitudinal sectional view showing shafts mountedon a peripheral edge of the block and engaging within respective camsurfaces in the eccentric rotor for effecting cooperative rotationbetween the eccentric rotor and the cylinder block and proper relativepositioning thereof.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4, FIG.1, and showing an intake valve member. v

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5, FIG.1, showing an exhaust valve member.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 6- 6, FIG. 1, andshowing means rotatably supporting the eccentric rotor and the cylinderblock.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showingbearing members mounted in intake and exhaust ports of the cylinderblock and in engagement with the intake valve member and exhaust valvemember respectively.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a fluid driven rotaryengine which is adjustable and reversible and has a cylinder block 2 andan eccentric rotor 3 cooperatively connected with the cylinder block 2to effect associated rotation of said block 2 in response to rotation ofthe eccentric rotor 3 and movement of pistons 4 within respective bores5 in the rotary block 2 in response to movement of fluid under pressureinto and out of the bores 5 of the block 2. The rotary elements aresubstantially symmetrical about their respective axis of rotationwhereby the engine 1 is substantially vibration free.

The rotary engine 1 includes a stationary support or housing 6 havingportions providing support for the cylinder block 2 and the eccentricrotor 3 during rotation thereof. In the illustrated structure, thesupport or housing 6 has a pair of facing generally annular walls 7 and8 each having a generally concave shape and being suitably connectedtogether in fluid tight relation adjacent the peripheral edges thereof,as by a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 9 and extendingthrough peripheral edges flanges l0 and 11 respectively and having nuts12 on the bolts 9 to hold the flanges l0 and 11 in clamped engagement.When the walls 7 and 8 are secured together, a chamber 13 is formedwithin the support or housing 6 which encloses the cylinder block 2 andthe eccentric rotor 3 therein.

The eccentric rotor 3 is rotatably supported on the housing 6 and in theillustrated structure, a pair of bosses 14 and 15 are axially alignedand extend inwardly from facing surfaces of the walls 7 and 8respectively with the bosses 14 and 15 being generally cylindrical incross-section and the eccentric rotor 3 being rotatably supported by aplurality of suitable bearings 16 mounted on exterior surfaces 17 and 18of the bosses l4 and 15 respectively.

The cylinder block 2 is also rotatably supported on the housing 6 and inthe illustrated structure, the bosses l4 and 15 have axially alignedgenerally cylindrical recesses 19 and 20 respectively with portions ofthe cylinder block 2 extending into the recesses 19 and 20 and beingrotatably supported therein by a plurality of suitable bearings 21.

The axis of the recesses 19 and 20 is spaced from and parallel with theaxis of the bosses 14 and 15 with the spacing being equal to one-halfthe stroke of the pistons 4 whereby the axis of rotation of the cylinderblock 2 and the axis of rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 are paralleland spaced apart a distance equal to one-half the stroke of the pistons4.

The eccentric rotor 3 is illustrated as a pair of spaced annular plates22 and 23 suitably connected together to rotate as a single member, asby a plurality of bolts 24 extending through the plates 22 and 23 and arespective one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced spacers 25,between facing surfaces of the plates 22 and 23. The bolts 24 areillustrated as threaded shafts having nuts 26 to move the plates 22 and23 into clamping engagement with opposite ends of the spacers 25 v Theplates 22 and 23 of the eccentric rotor each have a peripheral edgeportion 27 extending radially outwardly relative. to the cylinder block2 with the spacers 25 extending between the peripheral edge portions 27whereby the spacers 25 clear the cylinder block 2 during rotation of theblock 2.

The cylinder block 2 is centered between the annular plates 22 and 23and the bores are uniformly circumferentially spaced and radiallyextending. The bores 5 each have a closed end adjacent the axis ofrotation of the block 2 and open radially outwardly therefrom. There maybe any number of uniformly spaced bores 5 in the block 2 to provide ablock which is symmetrical about its axis of rotation therebysubstantially reducing or eliminating vibration during rotation thereof.The bores 5 and pistons 4 therein are illustrated as an even numberarranged in uniformly spaced opposed pairs.

Bosses or projections 28 and 29 extend outwardly from opposite facesrespectively of the cylinder block 2 and each boss or projection iscoaxial with the block 2 and has an annular recess therein centered onthe axis of rotation of the cylinder block 2. The bosses or projections28 and 29 provide means for mounting annular cover plates 30 and 31respectively, thereby defining an intake fluid receiving chamber 32 andan exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33 on opposite sides of thecylinderblock 2.

Each bore 5 has an intake port 34 and an exhaust port 35 communicatingthe bore 5 with the intake chamber 32 and exhaust chamber 33respectively. The ports 34 and 35 are positioned on opposite sides ofthe block 2 and are preferably aligned to maintain a symmetricalarrangement of the cylinder block 2 and a smooth flow of fluid into andout of the bores 5.

A flow conduit and support shaft 36 is coaxial with the axis of rotationof the cylinder block 2 and extends through a fluid receivingcompartment 37, as later described, and through the cover plate 30 andinto the intake fluid receiving chamber 32 for conveying fluid underpressure from the fluid receiving compartment 37 to the intake fluidreceiving chamber 32. In the illustrated structure, the flow conduit andsupport shaft 36 has a tubular portion having a plurality of ports 38 inthe form of circumferentially spaced apertures, positioned in thatportion of the flow conduit and support shaft 36 within the fluidreceiving compartment 37 for flow of fluid under pressure from a supplyconduit 39 A into the tubular portion of the flow conduit 36. Aplurality of ports 40 in the form of circumferentially spaced aperturesare positioned in that portion of the tubular portion of the flowconduit and support shaft 36 within the intake fluid receiving chamber32 thereby providing means for directing fluid under pressure into theintake fluid receiving chamber 32.

An intake valve member 41 is mounted on the flow conduit and supportshaft 36 and positioned within the intake fluid receiving chamber 32 tocontrol flow of the fluid under pressure into the bores 5. The intakevalve member 41 is operative to sequentially communicate fluid underpressure from the chamber 32 with each intake port 34 of the block 2 foreffecting coordinated sequential movement of the pistons 4 and rotationof the eccentric rotor 3 and block 2, as later described. The intakevalve member 41 is illustrated as an annular disc fixedly mounted on theflow conduit and'support shaft 36 and the intake valve member ispositioned in covering relation with the intake ports 34 of the bores 5.The intake valve member 41 has at least one port 42 communicating with aflow passage 43, in the form of an arcuate channel, in the face of theintake valve member 41 adjacent the intake ports 34 of the bores 5.

The intake valve member 41 'is stationary and the block 2 rotates duringoperation of the engine 1, therefore, each intake port 34 of the block 2has a bearing member 44 mounted therein and each bearing member 44 has aflange portion in engagement with the intake valve member 41 for holdingsame in spaced relation with the block 2 and the intake ports 34. Eachof the bearing members 44 has a bore 46 therethrough communicating withthe respective intake'port 34 and with the flow passage 43 of the intakevalve member 41.

It is desirable to maintain firm engagement between the flange portion45 of the bearing members 44 and the adjacent face of the intake valvemember 41 to prevent bleeding of fluid therebetween and flow into theintake ports 34 except through the intake valve member 41, therefore,each of the bearing members 44 has a greater surface area exposed tofluid pressure urging the respective bearing member 44 toward the intakevalve member 41 than surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging therespective bearing member 44 away from the intake valve member 41including an exterior surface area exposed to fluid pressure within theintake fluid chamber 32 and an end of a body portion having a surfacearea exposed to fluid pressure within the bore 46 therethrough. In theillustrated structure, a counterbore 47 is formed in the flangeportion45 of the bearing members 44 and has a diameter slightly greater thanthe exterior diameter of the end of the body portion of the bearingmember whereby the surface area of the flange portion 45 in engagementwith the intake valve member 41 is less than the surface area of theflange portion 45 within the intake fluid chamber 32 to thereby preventseparation in the event of seepage between the flange portion 45 andintake valve member 41. Such seepage provides lubrication between saidsurfaces.

An exhaust valve member 48 is mounted on the flow conduit and supportshaft 36 and is positioned in covering relation. with the exhaust ports35 and the exhaust valve member 48 has a flow passage 49 in the form ofan arcuate channel in a face adjacent the exhaust ports 35. At least oneport 50 in the exhaust valve member 48 communicates the flow passage 49with the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33.

The exhaust valve member 48 is illustrated as an annular disc mounted onthe flow conduit and support shaft 36 and the exhaust valve member 48 isstationary during rotation of the block 2, therefore, each exhaust port35 of the block 2 has a bearing member 51 mounted therein. The bearingmembers 45 each have a flange portion 52 in engagement with the adjacentface of the exhaust valve member 48 for holding same in spaced relationwith the block 2. Each of the bearings members 51 has a bore 53therethrough for communicating the respective exhaust port 35 with theflow passage 49 and the port 50 of the exhaust valve member 48 wherebyfluid under pressure may flow from the bores 5 into the exhaust fluidreceiving chamber 33 upon movement of the pistons 4 within the block 2.

It is also desirable to maintain the flange portion 52 of the bearingmembers 51 in firm engagement with the adjacent face of the exhaustvalve member 48 to prevent bleeding of fluid therebetween the flow intothe exhaust ports from the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33,therefore, each of the bearing members 51 has a bearing surface with avented flow passage 54 in the form of a recess therein and a greatersurface area exposed to fluid pressure urging the respective bearingmember 51 toward the exhaust valve member 48 than surface area exposedto fluid pressure urging the respective bearing member 51 away from theexhaust valve member 48 including an exterior surface area exposed tofluid pressure within the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33 and an endof a body portion having a surface area exposed to fluid pressure withinthe bore 53 therethrough whereby the bearing members 51 are maintainedin engagement and firm contact with the exhaust valve member 48.

In the illustrated structure, the end of the body portion and theexterior surface of the flange portion 52 of the bearing members 51 aregenerally parallel with the exhaust valve member 48 whereby the fluidpressure urges the respective bearing member toward the exhaust valvemember 48. The flow passage 54 has one wall spaced closer to theinterior surface of the bore 53 than the exterior diameter of the end ofthe body portion of the bearing member 51 whereby if fluid pressurebleeds from the bore 53 and between the flange portion 52 and the valvemember 48, the pressure is less than the pressure on the end of the bodyportion of the bearing member 51. The flow passage 54 is suitably ventedas by communicating with the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33 and theflow passage 54 also has an other wall thereof closer to the peripheryof the flange portion 52 than an exterior surface of the body portionconduit and support shaft 36. Bearings 56 are positioned at an endportion of the flow conduit and support shaft 36 and engage the coverplate 31 at the exhaust side of the rotary block 2 thereby rotatablysupporting the cover plate 31.

The cover plate 30 on the intake side of the block 2 has an annular ring57 formed by a rib extending therefrom and the annular ring 57 surroundsand is coaxial with the flow conduit and support shaft 36 and iscentered within the recess or bore 19 within the boss 14. In theillustrated structure, the bearings 21 are positioned between and inengagement with an exterior surface of the annular ring 57 and aninterior surface of the recess or bore 19 thereby providing means on thehousing or support 6 for rotatably mounting the intake side of therotary block 2.

It is desirable that the intake fluid receiving chamber 32 besubstantially fluid tight, therefore, a cap member 58 is suitablymounted on the end of the annular ring 57, as by a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced screws or bolts 59. Suitable annular sealmembers engage the cap member 58 and the interior surface of the annularring 57 and suitable annular seal members 60 engage the cap member 58and the exterior surface of the flow conduit and support shaft 36. Theseal members 60 are maintained in engagement with the cap member 58 byhaving a smaller surface area in engagement therewith than surface areaexposed to fluid pressure in the intake fluid receiving chamber 32 andany fluid press'ure bleeding between the seal members 60 and the capmember 58 is suitably vented to a low pressure area, such as through thecap member 58 and into the chamber 13.

The cover plate 31 on the exhaust side of the block 2 is integral withor suitably connected to the cylinder block 2 and to one end of a drivenshaft 61 extending through the wall 8 of the support or housing 6 andthe driven shaft 61 is coaxial with the flow conduit and support shaft36 and is centered within the recess or bore 20 of the boss 15 and hasan annular shoulder 62 formed by a cylindrical poi-tion extending fromthe cover plate 31. The bearings 21 engage an exterior surface of theannular shoulder 62 and an interior surface of the recess or bore 20 inthe boss 15 thereby providing means on the support or housing 6 forrotatably mounting the cover plate 31 thereby rotatably mounting theblock 2 for rotation about an axis spaced from and parallel with an axisof rotation of the piston support member 3.

Fluid under pressure flowing into the intake port 34 of one bore 5within the block 2 effects movement of the piston 4 therein and rotationof the eccentric rotor 3 and thereby associated rotation of the rotaryblock 2. Each of the pistons 4 is rotatably mounted on a pin 63extending through one end of a connecting rod 64 having the other endthereof rotatably mounted on a respective spacer 25 which extendsbetween and is suitably connected to the peripheral edge portion 27 ofthe annular plates 22 and 23 defining the eccentric rotor 3 therebyproviding means connecting the pistons 4 to the eccentric rotor 3 forpermitting relative movement between .the pistons 4 and the cylinderblock 2.

Proper relative positions of the cylinder block 2 and eccentric rotor 3during rotation thereof and reciprocating movement of the pistons 4within the respective bores are effected and maintained by a pluralityof circumferentially spaced abutments or shafts 65 fixedly mounted on aperipheral edge of the cylinder block 2 and extending parallel with theaxis of rotation of the block 2 and the shafts 65 each have the oppositeends thereof received within a respective cam aperture 66 defining a camsurface in the annular plate 22 and 23 respectively of the eccentricrotor 3 whereby rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 and engagement of theabutments or shafts 65 with the cam surfaces on the eccentric rotor 3effects rotation of the block 2 and the driven shaft 61. The engagementof the shafts 63 with the surfaces defining the cam apertures 66 isoperative to maintain a timed relation between rotation of the block 2and the eccentric rotor 3 and movement of the pistons 4 within the bores5 of the block 2.

The cam apertures 66 are circular and the movement of the pistons 4 isin a circular orbit during rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 and theblock 2 and the relative movement of the pistons 4 within the block 2lineally reciprocating during rotation of the block 2.

it is extremely desirable to provide a substantially vibration freerotary engine which is characterized by the absence of the necessityforcounterweights, therefore, the bores 5 and the pistons 4 therein arearranged in uniformly spaced opposed pairs and the annular plates 22 and23 of the eccentric rotor 3 are substantially identical members whichare symmetrical about the axis of rotation thereof and are spaced apartto have the block 2 centered therebetween. The cylinder block 2 and thecover plates 30 and 31 mounted thereon are substantially symmetricalabout the axis of rotation thereof.

The effect reversing of the direction of rotation of the driven shaft61, the flow conduit and support shaft 36 is rotatably mounted withinthe support or housing 6 and is positioned on the axis of rotation ofthe cylinder block 2 and extends exteriorly of the support or housing 6and has a handle 67 mounted thereon. The intake valve member 41 and theexhaust valve member 48 are mounted on the flow conduit and supportshaft 36 for movement therein whereby adjustment of the position of theflow conduit and support shaft 36 by movement of the handle 67 throughan arc in the nature of 1 10 is effective to reverse the direction ofrotation of the driven shaft 61. The amount of angular movement throughwhich the handle 67 is turned to reverse the rotation of the shaft 61 isequal to the length of the flow passage 43 plus the diameter of oneintake port 34.

In the illustrated structure, the intake valve member 41 is fixedlymounted on the flow conduit and support shaft 36 and the exhaust valvemember 48 is rotatably mounted on the flow conduit and support shaft 36by a lost motion connection whereby the exhaust valve member 48 isadjustable. In the illustrated lost motion connection, the exhaust valvemember 48 has a recess 68 in one face thereof adjacent the flow conduitand support shaft 36. The recess 68 is partially defined by a pair ofspaced walls extending radially from the axis of duit and support shaft36 is moved by the handle 67 whereby the exhaust valve member 48 ismoved with the flow conduit and support shaft 36 during adjustmentthereof and is then free to move to a proper position for exhaust offluid into the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33 on the return strokeof the respective pistons 4.

Fluid flows from the exhaust chamber 33 through a plurality of exhaustports in the cover plate 31. It is desirable that the cylinder block 2and the cover plates 30 and 31 mounted thereon be substantiallyvibration free during rotation thereof, therefore, the exhaust ports 20are preferably arranged in at least one diametrically opposed pair I tomaintain the symmetrical balance of the cover plate 31 during rotationthereof.

In the illustrated structure, fluid under pressure flows through thefluid supply conduit 39 and into the fluid receiving compartment 37which is formed on one side of the housing 6, for example on an exteriorsurface of the wall 7. Fluid within the fluid receiving compart ment 37flows through the ports 38 and into the flow conduit 36 and outwardlythrough the ports 40 into the intake fluid receiving chamber 32. Fluidwithin the intake chamber 32 is sequentially communicated into the bores5 of the cylinder block 2 to effect coordinated sequential movement ofthe pistons 4 and rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 and cylinder block 2in response to power strokes of the pistons 4. Return strokes of thepistons 4 move fluid into the exhaust chamber 33 and into the chamber 13within the housing 6 from the exhaust ports 70 and the fluid is receivedwithin a flow conduit 71 communicating with the chamber 13 of thehousing or support 6 for receiving exhaust fluid therein.

in operation of a rotary engine constructed as illustrated anddescribed, fluid under pressure flows through the supply conduit 39 andinto the fluid receiv ing compartment 37 and into the tubular portion ofthe flow conduit and support shaft 36 through the ports 38. The fluidflows then from the tubular portion of the flow conduit and supportshaft 36 through the ports 40 and into the fluid receiving chamber 32.The fluid flows through the port 42 of the intake valve member 41 andinto the flow passages 43 thereof which directs the fluid under pressureinto one bore 5 of the block 2 having the piston 4 therein positionedfor the start of a power stroke thereby forcing said piston outwardlythrough the bore 5 and efiecting rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 andthen rotation of the block 2. The abutments or shafts 65 on theperiphery of the block'2 are received within the cam apertures 66 andengage the respective cam surface thereof to effect and maintain aproper relative position of the eccentric rotor 3 and the cylinder block2 during rotation of the block 2 and the eccentric rotor 3 and movementof the pistons within the block 2. The fluid flows through the exhaustport 35 of the bore 5 having the piston 4 therein at the end of a returnstroke and the fluid then flows through the exhaust valve member '48into the exhaust chamber 33 and through the ports 70 into the chamber 13within the housing 6 and into the flow conduit 7 l for return to thesupply conduit 39 after suitable processing as in a condenser and then aboiler whereby the rotary engine 1 is particularly useful in a closedfluid system for steam, gas, liquids and the like.

When it is desired to reverse the direction of rotation of the drivenshaft 61, the flow conduit and support shaft 36 is rotated through anarc in the nature of 100 to 110 by moving the handle 67 to move the flowpassage 43 of the intake valve member 41 through the same are. Movementof the flow passage 43 changes the positions at which the fluid underpressure is communicated to the bores thereby slowing the rotation ofthe block 2 and rotor 3 by introducing the fluid into the bores 5 duringthe return stroke of the pistons 4. After the rotation of the intakevalve member 41 has stopped the engine 1, the fluid flows into a bore 5having the piston therein at the end of a return stroke and positionedfor the start of a power stroke thereby starting the block 2 and thedriven shaft 61 rotating in the opposite direction.

it is to be understood that while 1 have illustrated and described oneform of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form orarrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A rotary engine comprising:

a. an engine housing having walls defining a chamber therein;

b. a cylinder block in the housing chamber and rotatable on an axis,said cylinder block having a plurality of bores circumferentially spacedtherein, said bores being closed at ends adjacent said axis and openingoutwardly therefrom;

c. a piston reciprocable in each bore;

d. an eccentric rotor in said housing chamber, said rotor beingrotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of saidcylinder block, said axis spacing corresponding to one-half of thepiston stroke, said rotor having a portion extending radially outwardlyrelative to said cylinder block;

e. a connecting rod for each piston, each connecting rod having one endpivotally connected to the respective piston and the other end pivotallyconnected to the outwardly extending portion of said eccentric rotor,the pivotal connections of said rods to said eccentric rotor beinguniformly circumferentially spaced around said rotor;

f. a driven shaft connected to said cylinder block;

g. a plurality of abutments circumferentially spaced around saidcylinder block and fixed relative thereto;

h. a cam surface on said eccentric rotor for each abutment on saidblock, said cam surfaces being engaged by respective abutments wherebyrotation of said eccentric rotor effects associated rotation of saidcylinder block and driven shaft;

i. valve controlled flow passages and ports for introducing fluid underpressure to the cylinder bores for sequentially effecting a power strokeof each piston and exhaust on the respective return stroke, said valvecontrolled flow passages and ports including an intake fluid receivingchamber within said cylinder block and an intake flow means forcommunicating a source of fluid under pressure with said intake fluidreceiving chamber, said intake flow means including a flow conduitrotatably mounted within said cylinder block, said intake flow conduitbeing coaxial with the axis of rotation of said cylinder block and aportion thereof extending exteriorly of said engine housing and having ahandle mounted thereon and an intake port and an exhaust port for eachbore of said block and an intake valve member within said intake fluidreceiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said intakeports, said intake valve member having a port and a flow passage forsequentially communicating fluid from said intake fluid receivingchamber with said intake ports, said intake valve member being mountedon said intake flow conduit for rotary movement therewith whereby areverse direction of rotation of said driven shaft may be effected byrotary adjustment of said intake flow conduit and the valve memberthereon and an exhaust fluid receiving chamber within said cylinderblock and an exhaust valve member mounted on said intake flow conduitand positioned within said exhaust fluid receiving chamber andpositioned in covering relation with said exhaust ports, said exhaustvalve member having a flow passage and a port for communicating fluidfrom said bores with said exhaust fluid receiving chamber in response tothe return stroke of said pistons, said exhaust valve member having anaperture positioned for said intake flow conduit to extend therethroughto rotatably support said exhaust valve member thereon, said exhaustvalve member having a recess in one face thereof and extending radiallyfrom the aperture therethrough, said recess being defined by a pair ofspaced walls extending radially from the axis of rotation of saidcylinder block, and exhaust flow means communicating with said exhaustfluid receiving chamber for receiving exhaust fluid therefrom; and

j. a lug extending radially from said intake flow conduit and positionedwithin said recess in said exhaust valve member and positioned to engageand be engageable by said radially extending walls of said recesswhereby said exhaust valve member is moved with said intake flow conduitduring rotary adjustment thereof and is then free to move to a positionfor proper flow of exhaust fluid therethrough.

- d. an eccentric rotor in said housing chamber, said rotor beingrotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of saidcylinder block, said rotor having a portion extending radially outwardlyrelative to said cylinder block;

e. a connecting rod for each piston, each connecting rod having one endpivotally connected to the respective piston and the other end pivotallyconnected to the outwardly extending portion of said eccentric rotor,the pivotal connections of said rods to said eccentric rotor beinguniformly circumferentially spaced around said rotor;

f. a driven shaft connected to said cylinder block;

g. means on said cylinder block and engageable with said eccentric rotorfor effecting associated rotation of said cylinder block and drivenshaft in response to rotation of said eccentric rotor; and

h. valve controlled flow passages and ports for introducing fluid underpressure to the cylinder bores for sequentially effecting a power strokeof each piston and exhaust on the respective return stroke andcomprising an intake flow conduit rotatably mounted within said cylinderblock and having a portion extending exteriorly of said housing, saidintake flow conduit having means for communicating a source of fluidunder pressure with said intake fluid receiving chamber and an intakevalve member fixedly mounted on said flow conduit and positioned withinsaid intake fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relationwith said intake ports, said intake valve member having a port and aflow passage for sequentially communicating fluid from said intake fluidreceiving chamber with said intake ports and an exhaust valve memberrotatably mounted on said flow conduit and positioned within saidexhaust fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation withsaid exhaust ports, said exhaust valve member having a flow passage anda port for communicating fluid from said bores with said exhaust fluidreceiving chamber in response to the return stroke of said pistons, saidrotatable mounting of said exhaust valve member being by a lost motionconnection comprising a recess in one face of said exhaust valve memberanddefined by a pair of spaced walls extending radially from an axis ofrotation of said exhaust valve member and a lug extending radially fromsaid intake flow conduit and positioned within said recess in saidexhaust valve member and positioned to engage and be engageable by saidradially extending walls of said recess whereby said exhaust valvemember is moved with said intake flow conduit during rotary adjustmentthereof and is then free to move to a position for proper flow ofexhaust fluid therethrough.

3. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. each intake port of said block has a tubular portion of a bearingmember mounted therein and having a flange portion in sliding engagementwith said intake valve member for holding same in spaced relation withsaid intake ports;

b. each of said bearing members has a bore therethrough forcommunicating said respective intake port with the flow passage of saidintake valve member; and

c. each of said bearing members is shaped to have a greater surface areaexposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respectivebearing member toward said intake valve member than surface area exposedto fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearingmember away from said intake valve member whereby said flange portionsof said bearing members are maintained in sliding engagement with saidintake valve member.

4. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said flange portion of each bearing member in said respective intakeports has a counterbore therein; and

b. said counterbore has a diameter greater than an exterior diameter ofthe tubular portion of the bearing member.

5. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. each exhaust port of said block has a tubular portion of a bearingmember mounted therein and having a flange portion in sliding engagementwith said exhaust valve member for holding same in spaced relation withsaid exhaust ports;

b. each of said bearing members has a bore therethrough forcommunicating said respective exhaust port with the flow passage of saidexhaust valve member; and

c. each of said bearing members is shaped to have a greater surface areaexposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respectivebearing member toward said exhaust valve member than surface areaexposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respectivebearing member away from said exhaust valve member whereby said flangeportions of said bearing members are maintained in sliding engagementwith said exhaust valve member.

6. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

a. said flange portion of each bearing member in said respective exhaustports has a vented flow passage in the surface thereof in slidingengagement with said exhaust valve member;

b. said flow passage is defined by circumferentially spaced walls;

c. said flow passage has one wall defining same positioned closer to aninterior surface of the bore through said bearing member than anexterior diameter of the tubular portion of the bearing member; and p d.said flow passage has an other wall defining same closer to theperiphery of said flange portion than an exterior surface of the tubularportion of the bearing member. I

7. A rotary engine comprising:

a. an engine housing having walls defining a chamber therein;

b. a cylinder block in the housing chamber and rotatable on an axis,said cylinder block having a plurality of bores circumferentially spacedtherein, said bores being closed at ends adjacent said axis and openingoutwardly therefrom;

c. a piston reciprocable in each bore;

d. an eccentric rotor in said housing chamber, said rotor beingrotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of saidcylinder block, said rotor having a portion extending radially outwardlyrelative to said cylinder block;

e. a connecting rod for each piston, each connecting rod having one endpivotally connected to the respective piston and the other end pivotallyconnected to the outwardly extending portion of said eccentric rotor;

f. a driven shaft connected to said cylinder block;

g. means on said cylinder block and engageable with said eccentric rotorfor effecting associated rotation of said cylinder block and drivenshaft in response to rotation of said eccentric rotor;

h. valve controlled flow passages and ports for inadjustable valve meanswithin said cylinder block and associated with said valve controlledflow passages and ports for effecting proper flow of exhaust fluidthrough said flow passages and ports, said adjustable valve meansincluding:

l. an intake valve member fixedly mounted on said intake flow conduitand positioned within said intake fluid receiving chamber and positionedin covering relation with said intake ports and having a port and a flowpassage for sequentially communicating fluid from said intake fluidreceiving chamber with said intake ports;

2. an exhaust valve member rotatably mounted on said intake flow conduitand positioned within said exhaust fluid receiving chamber andpositioned in covering relation with said exhaust ports and having aflow passage and a port for communicating fluid from said bores withsaid exhaust fluid receiving chamber in response to the return stroke ofsaid pistons;

3. a recess in one face of said exhaust valve member and defined by apair of spaced walls extending radially from an axis of rotation of saidexhaust valve member; and said intake flow conduit during rotaryadjustment thereof and is then free to move to a position for properflow of exhaust fluid therethrough.

4. a lug extending radially from said intake flow conduit and positionedwithin said recess in said exhaust valve member and positioned to engageand be engageable by said radially extending walls of said recesswhereby said exhaust valve member is moved with said intake flow conduitduring rotary adjustment thereof and is then free to move to a positionfor proper flow of exhaust fluid therethrough.

1. A rotary engine comprising: a. an engine housing having wallsdefining a chamber therein; b. a cylinder block in the housing chamberand rotatable on an axis, said cylinder block having a plurality ofbores circumferentially spaced therein, said bores being closed at endsadjacent said axis and opening outwardly therefrom; c. a pistonreciprocable in each bore; d. an eccentric rotor in said housingchamber, said rotor being rotatable on an axis spaced from and parallelwith the axis of said cylinder block, said axis spacing corresponding toonehalf of the piston stroke, said rotor having a portion extendingradially outwardly relative to said cylinder block; e. a connecting rodfor each piston, each connecting rod having one end pivotally connectedto the respective piston and the other end pivotally connected to theoutwardly extending portion of said eccentric rotor, the pivotalconnections of said rods to said eccentric rotor being uniformlycircumferentially spaced around said rotor; f. a driven shaft connectedto said cylinder block; g. a plurality of abutments circumferentiallyspaced around said cylinder block and fixed relative thereto; h. a camsurface on said eccentric rotor for each abutment on said block, saidcam surfaces being engaged by respective abutments whereby rotation ofsaid eccentric rotor effects associated rotation of said cylinder blockand driven shaft; i. valve controlled flow passages and ports forintroducing fluid under pressure to the cylinder bores for sequentiallyeffecting a power stroke of each piston and exhaust on the respectivereturn stroke, said valve controlled flow passages and ports includingan intake fluid receiving chamber within said cylinder block and anintake flow means for communicating a source of fluid under pressurewith said intake fluid receiving chamber, said intake flow meansincluding a flow conduit rotatably mounted within said cylinder block,said intake flow conduit being coaxial with the axis of rotation of saidcylinder block and a portion thereof extending exteriorly of said enginehousing and having a handle mounted thereon and an intake port and anexhaust port for each bore of said block and an intake valve memberwithin said intake fluid receiving chamber and positioned in coveringrelation with said intake ports, said intake valve member having a portand a flow passage for sequentially communicating fluid from said intakefluid receiving chamber with said intake ports, said intake valve memberbeing mounted on said intake flow conduit for rotary movement therewithwhereby a reverse direction of rotation of said driven shaft may beeffected by rotary adjustment of said intake flow conduit and the valvemember thereon and an exhaust fluid receiving chamber within saidcylinder block and an exhaust valve member mounted on said intake flowconduit and positioned within said exhaust fluid receiving chamber andpositioned in covering relation with said exhaust ports, said exhaustvalve member having a flow passage and a port for communicating fluidfrom said bores with said exhaust fluid receiving chamber in response tothe return stroke of said pistons, said exhaust valve member having anaperture positioned for said intake flow conduit to extend therethroughto rotatably support said exhaust valve member thereon, said exhaustvalve member having a recess in one face thereof and extending radiallyfrom the aperture therethrough, said recess being defined by a pair ofspaced walls extending radially from the axis of rotation of saidcylinder block, and exhaust flow means communicating with said exhaustfluid receiving chamber for receiving exhaust fluid therefrom; and j. alug extending radially from said intake flow conduit and positionedwithin said recess in said exhaust valve member and positioned to engageand be engageable by said radially extending walls of said recesswhereby said exhaust valve member is moved with said intake flow conduitduring rotary adjustment thereof and is then free to move to a positionfor proper flow of exhaust fluid therethrough.
 2. A rotary enginecomprising: a. an engine housing having walls defining a chamber thereinb. a cylinder block in the housing chamber and rotatable on an axis,said cylinder block having a plurality of bores circumferentially spacedtherein, said bores each being closed at ends adjacent said axis andopening outwardly therefrom and having an intake port and an exhaustport, said cylinder block having an intake fluid receiving chamber andan exhaust fluid receiving chamber therein; c. a piston reciprocable ineach bore; d. an eccentric rotor in said housing chamber, said rotorbeing rotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis ofsaid cylinder block, said rotor having a portion extending radiallyoutwardly relative to said cylinder block; e. a connecting rod for eachpiston, each connecting rod having one end pivotally connected to therespective piston and the other end pivotally connected to the outwardlyextending portion of said eccentric rotor, the pivotal connections ofsaid rods to said eccentric rotor being uniformly circumferentiallyspaced around said rotor; f. a driven shaft connected to said cylinderblock; g. means on said cylinder block and engageable with saideccentric rotor for effecting associated rotation of said cylinder blockand driven shaft in response to rotation of said eccentric rotor; and h.valve controlled flow passages and ports for introducing fluid underpressure to the cylinder bores for sequentially effecting a power strokeof each piston and exhaust on the respective return stroke andcomprising an intake flow conduit rotatably mounted within said cylinderblock and having a portion extending exteriorly of said housing, saidintake flow conduit having means for communicating a source of fluidunder pressure with said intake fluid receiving chamber and an intakevalve member fixedly mounted on said flow conduit and positioned withinsaid intake fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relationwith said intake ports, said intake valve member having a port and aflow passage for sequentially communicating fluid from said intake fluidreceiving chamber with said intake ports and an exhaust valve memberrotatably mounted on said flow conduit and positioned within saidexhaust fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation withsaid exhaust ports, said exhaust valve member having a flow passage anda port for communicaTing fluid from said bores with said exhaust fluidreceiving chamber in response to the return stroke of said pistons, saidrotatable mounting of said exhaust valve member being by a lost motionconnection comprising a recess in one face of said exhaust valve memberand defined by a pair of spaced walls extending radially from an axis ofrotation of said exhaust valve member and a lug extending radially fromsaid intake flow conduit and positioned within said recess in saidexhaust valve member and positioned to engage and be engageable by saidradially extending walls of said recess whereby said exhaust valvemember is moved with said intake flow conduit during rotary adjustmentthereof and is then free to move to a position for proper flow ofexhaust fluid therethrough.
 2. an exhaust valve member rotatably mountedon said intake flow conduit and positioned within said exhaust fluidreceiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said exhaustports and having a flow passage and a port for communicating fluid fromsaid bores with said exhaust fluid receiving chamber in response to thereturn stroke of said pistons;
 3. a recess in one face of said exhaustvalve member and defined by a pair of spaced walls extending radiallyfrom an axis of rotation of said exhaust valve member; and
 3. A rotaryengine as set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. each intake port of saidblock has a tubular portion of a bearing member mounted therein andhaving a flange portion in sliding engagement with said intake valvemember for holding same in spaced relation with said intake ports; b.each of said bearing members has a bore therethrough for communicatingsaid respective intake port with the flow passage of said intake valvemember; and c. each of said bearing members is shaped to have a greatersurface area exposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion ofsaid respective bearing member toward said intake valve member thansurface area exposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion ofsaid respective bearing member away from said intake valve memberwhereby said flange portions of said bearing members are maintained insliding engagement with said intake valve member.
 4. A rotary engine asset forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said flange portion of each bearingmember in said respective intake ports has a counterbore therein; and b.said counterbore has a diameter greater than an exterior diameter of thetubular portion of the bearing member.
 4. a lug extending radially fromsaid intake flow conduit and positioned within said recess in saidexhaust valve member and positioned to engage and be engageable by saidradially extending walls of said recess whereby said exhaust valvemember is moved with said intake flow conduit during rotary adjustmentthereof and is then free to move to a position for proper flow ofexhaust fluid therethrough.
 5. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 2wherein: a. each exhaust port of said block has a tubular portion of abearing member mounted therein and having a flange portion in slidingengagement with said exhaust valve member for holding same in spacedrelation with said exhaust ports; b. each of said bearing members has abore therethrough for communicating said respective exhaust port withthe flow passage of said exhaust valve member; and c. each of saidbearing members is shaped to have a greater surface area exposed tofluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearingmember toward said exhaust valve member than surface area exposed tofluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearingmember away from said exhaust valve member whereby said flange portionsof said bearing members are maintained in sliding engagement with saidexhaust valve member.
 6. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 5wherein: a. said flange portion of each bearing member in saidrespective exhaust ports has a vented flow passage in the surfacethereof in sliding engagement with said exhaust valve member; b. saidflow passage is defined by circumferentially spaced walls; c. said flowpassage has one wall defining same positioned closer to an interiorsurface of the bore through said bearing member than an exteriordiameter of the tubular portion of the bearing member; and d. said flowpassage has an other wall defining same closer to the periphery of saidflange portion than an exterior surface of the tubular portion of thebearing member.
 7. A rotary engine comprising: a. an engine housinghaving walls defining a chamber therein; b. a cylinder block in thehousing chamber and rotatable on an axis, said cylinder block having aplurality of bores circumferentially spaced therein, said bores beingclosed at ends adjacent said axis and opening outwardly therefrom; c. apiston reciprocable in each bore; d. an eccentric rotor in said housingchamber, said roTor being rotatable on an axis spaced from and parallelwith the axis of said cylinder block, said rotor having a portionextending radially outwardly relative to said cylinder block; e. aconnecting rod for each piston, each connecting rod having one endpivotally connected to the respective piston and the other end pivotallyconnected to the outwardly extending portion of said eccentric rotor; f.a driven shaft connected to said cylinder block; g. means on saidcylinder block and engageable with said eccentric rotor for effectingassociated rotation of said cylinder block and driven shaft in responseto rotation of said eccentric rotor; h. valve controlled flow passagesand ports for introducing fluid under pressure to the cylinder bores forsequentially effecting a power stroke of each piston and exhaust on therespective return stroke, said valve controlled flow passages and portsincluding an intake port and an exhaust port for each bore in saidcylinder block and an intake fluid receiving chamber and an exhaustfluid receiving chamber within said cylinder block and an intake flowconduit rotatably mounted within said cylinder block for communicating asource of fluid under pressure with said intake fluid receiving chamber;and i. adjustable valve means within said cylinder block and associatedwith said valve controlled flow passages and ports for effecting properflow of exhaust fluid through said flow passages and ports, saidadjustable valve means including: